2018 Chevy Equinox lighter more mpg

It’s the first day of the Autumn, the Equinox, the perfect day for Chevrolet to unveil its all-new, third-generation Equinox tonight. Lighter, sleeker, and more miles per gallon Chevy is bringing three turbocharged engines — including the segment’s first turbo-diesel, and it’s brand new nine-speed automatic transmission on the 2.0-liter Equinox.

For more details read the press release below:

A range of three turbocharged engines — including the segment’s first turbo-diesel — provides customers more choices when it comes to performance, efficiency and capability in the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox.

The engines include a 1.5L turbo, an available 2.0L turbo — matched with GM’s new nine-speed automatic transmission — and an available 1.6L turbo-diesel.

“With three choices, customers can select an engine that offers more of the attributes that are important to them: efficiency, performance and capability,” said Dan Nicholson, vice president, Global Propulsion Systems. “The advantage for each is the power of a larger engine and the fuel economy of a smaller engine.”

The new Equinox is the first Chevrolet model in North America to offer an all-turbocharged, multi-engine propulsion lineup.

1.5L turbo offers excellent fuel economy

The 2018 Equinox’s 1.5L turbo offers a GM-estimated 31 mpg highway (FWD). It is GM estimated at 170 hp (127 kW) and is part of GM’s family of Ecotec small-displacement engines, featuring direct injection.

2.0L turbo raises the performance bar

An available 2.0L turbo offers a higher degree of performance, GM-estimated 252 hp (188 kw) and a wide torque band for strong pulling power and acceleration. It also offers a GM-estimated 28 mpg on the highway (FWD).

Ninety percent of the engine’s peak torque is available from 2,000 to 5,600 rpm, along with maximum torque from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm. That strong, sustained torque production helps the new Equinox offer a 3,500-pound (1,585 kg) max trailering capacity that is equal to the current model’s capacity with the available V-6 engine.

1.6L turbo-diesel: max efficiency and capability

The 2018 Equinox is slated to be the only competitor in the North American compact SUV segment with a diesel choice for customers seeking the ultimate in fuel economy and SUV capability. It is expected to offer a GM-estimated 40 mpg highway.

The 1.6L turbo-diesel is an all-new design, with output estimated at 136 hp (101 kW) at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm and 236 lb.-ft. of torque (320 Nm) at 2,000 rpm. A variable-geometry turbocharger helps generate a broad torque band that makes the engine very responsive at low rpm. It also features stop/start technology and is one of the industry’s most refined diesels.

Turbocharging and Chevrolet

Turbocharging uses the force of exhaust gases exiting the engine to drive an air compressor that packs more air into the engine than it would draw naturally, for a more potent combustion that generates greater power.

The system generates little or no boost in light-load conditions, for small-engine efficiency. More power is only a press of the gas pedal away, as the turbo generates boost under heavier loads to provide larger-engine performance on demand.

In addition to the new Equinox, Chevrolet in North America offers turbocharged gas engines on Camaro, Cruze, Malibu, Sonic and Trax, while Duramax turbo-diesel engines are available on Colorado and Silverado HD.

New nine-speed automatic

The 2.0L turbo is paired with GM’s all-new 9T50 nine-speed automatic transmission, which features a higher 7.6:1 overall ratio to enhance efficiency. Smaller steps between the gears (compared to six-speed designs) enhance refinement.

An on-axis design, where all the gears are in line with the crankshaft, and GM’s first application of a selectable one-way clutch help reduce the package size of the 9T50, making it roughly the same size as a six-speed transmission.

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Lou Ann Hammond is the CEO of Carlist and
Driving the Nation. She is the co-host of Real Wheels Washington Post carchat every Friday morning and is the Automotive, energy correspondent for The John Batchelor Show and a Contributor to Automotive Electronics magazine headquartered in Korea.
Hammond is a founding member of the Women's World Car of the Year #WWCOTY, and the Concept Car of the Year, and former member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year #NACTOY. She is a guest contributor for Via Corsa magazine and Vicarious magazine.